A Message From California Employment Law Attorney
Stephen M. Murphy
Since the Family and Medical Leave Act passed in 1993, the law has been misunderstood by many employers, employees and even many lawyers. This website is an attempt to help employees better understand their rights with regard to FMLA, the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and other types of employee leave.
I'm San Francisco employment law attorney Stephen M. Murphy. I represent employees who have been illegally denied FMLA or other types of leave by their employers. I also represent those who have faced employer retaliation for exercising their legal right to take leave. My goal as an attorney is to try to right those wrongs and protect your rights under the law.
If your employer has denied your request for leave or illegally fired you, you can seek compensation for past and future lost income, emotional distress, and punitive damages from your employer. If your employer takes the case to court and loses, it will also have to pay your lawyer's statutory fees.
Contingency Fee Representation
When people come to me, they've either lost their jobs or missed work for an extended period of time and can't afford to pay hourly attorney fees. Therefore, I represent my clients on a contingency fee basis. This means that I receive attorney fees only if and when I win the case. If I lose your case, you won't have to pay me. This means I have to select my cases carefully. To be successful, I have to win.
In any legal case there are expenses such as witness fees, court filing fees and deposition fees. I will front all those expenses. At end of the case, if I win, these expenses will be reimbursed from the settlement or jury award.
As your attorney, I will help you navigate the legal process. I will explain what is involved in employment litigation, depositions and trial. Most FMLA and other employee leave cases reach a negotiated settlement, but they do so only when the employer knows that you and your attorney are ready to take the case to trial in front of a jury.
For more information about the Family and Medical Leave Act or to consult our experienced San Francisco FMLA lawyers, call 415-986-1338, or fill out the contact form on this website.
Sincerely,
Attorney Stephen M. Murphy